Disaster and Emergency News and Resources for Housing Counselors

This page contains a collection of news, resources, and guidance to assist housing counselors with response and recovery efforts specific to disasters. Launched in 2017 following Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, this page is updated frequently with the latest information and links following each new disaster that occurs.

All HUD participating housing counseling agencies impacted by disaster are encouraged to review the Housing Counseling Disaster Recovery and Emergency Preparedness Resources located on the HUD Exchange. It contains disaster recovery and emergency preparedness resources specifically for housing counseling programs. This page provides immediate access to the Housing Counseling Disaster Recovery Toolkit, Disaster Recovery Flyers, and other HUD, FEMA, and federal partner resources.

Reminder: Housing Counseling Handbook 7610.1, Chapter 5-11, B. 3-d, requires when any aspect of an agency’s purpose is impaired and can no longer comply with programmatic requirements, regulations or grant agreement (e.g., not functioning due to a disaster or emergency) the agency must notify HUD (their point of contact) within 15 days. Please send your questions to housing.counseling@hud.gov. Please type “DART” on the subject line.

National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month. National Preparedness Month (NPM), recognized each September, provides an opportunity to remind us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families now and throughout the year. This NPM will focus on planning, with an overarching theme: Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How. Ready.gov can help housing counselors learn how to educate clients about disaster preparedness.